Select committee inquiry
Transport's winter resilience
Closed
What the inquiry looked at
“Further information Terms of reference”
The committee's words, from the inquiry page on parliament.uk ↗.
What the government said
The government responded on 17 March 2014.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response.
The Department for Transport "welcomes this report" and, on the recommendations it addresses, endorses or agrees with several, will consider or explore others, and has commissioned a review of transport network resilience to extreme weather.
- The Department "endorses" proactive decisions by rail and aviation industries to reduce or cancel services ahead of severe weather, and "agrees" that airline relocation of flights is a commercial matter, saying it will encourage candid discussion with aviation stakeholders.
- On a salt reserve "dry-run" exercise with local authorities, the Department says it "will consider" the recommendation with the Highways Agency. On the Southampton to Basingstoke third rail conversion, it agrees an early timing "would be advantageous" and will discuss it with Network Rail.
- On a national advertising campaign for the Snow Code, the Department considers its current "dynamic, tactical approach" to be "more beneficial than expensive, one-off campaigns", citing the risk of messages being forgotten.
- The Highways Agency says it is developing a strategy to enhance information services and "will provide an update to the Committee before the start of the next winter season". A review of transport network resilience to extreme weather "is due to report by Summer 2014".
Read the government's response ↗ Read the report ↗ Report an error
How the inquiry ran
Each dot is a dated item listed on this page, from the inquiry's opening on 12 September 2013 to its close on 17 March 2014.
- Oral evidence 2 sessions
- Report 3 Jan 2014
- Government response 17 Mar 2014
- Correspondence 27 Jan 2014
What it recommended 4 recommendations · 8 conclusions
1We support proactive decision making by the rail and aviation industries to reduce or cancel...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We support proactive decision making by the rail and aviation industries to reduce or cancel services in anticipation of a severe weather event. If used effectively, this approach will provide greater certainty to passengers and minimise the risk of passengers getting stranded away from home during severe winter weather.
2Our view is that the relocating of flights from one airport to another during the...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Our view is that the relocating of flights from one airport to another during the winter months is a commercial decision best left for the airlines but we encourage airports and airlines to discuss candidly relocation options and related issues.
3We welcome the progress made in improving the winter resilience of the third rail network...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We welcome the progress made in improving the winter resilience of the third rail network south of the Thames. The conversion of the Southampton to Basingstoke route is a good first step towards upgrading the third rail network. The Government should push for this conversion to take place in the early part of Control Period 5 (2014-19) in order to allow time to evaluate the benefits and build a business case for a more comprehensive third rail conversion scheme in Control Period 6.
4We will review progress on the impact of introducing operational resilience conditions into airport operators’...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We will review progress on the impact of introducing operational resilience conditions into airport operators’ licences late in 2014.
5It is widely acknowledged that the problem of insufficient salt stocks has been addressed.
Recommended (the committee's words)
It is widely acknowledged that the problem of insufficient salt stocks has been addressed. This is in part due to the establishment of a national strategic salt reserve, held by the Highways Agency. However, there is no room for complacency. The Government should continue to provide annual updates on how to access strategic salt stocks. In addition to this, the Highways Agency should organise annual dry runs with local authorities to ensure that they have an up-to-date practical understanding of how to access the reserves.
6The Government should more actively publicise its Snow Code at the start of each winter,...
Recommended (the committee's words)
The Government should more actively publicise its Snow Code at the start of each winter, for example through a national advertising campaign highlighting that the public can clear snow and ice from outside their homes without fear of legal action and should consider doing so. We also recommend that the Government promote examples of good practice and innovation, such as the use by Brighton and Hove City Council of a sit-on vehicle for clearing pavements.
7As part of its review into the code of practice on the provision of information...
Concluded (the committee's words)
As part of its review into the code of practice on the provision of information to passengers, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) should ensure that train operating companies develop more robust procedures to identify how long a period of disruption is likely to last and communicate this to passengers.
8The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) emphasis on service quality for passengers during disruption is a...
Concluded (the committee's words)
The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) emphasis on service quality for passengers during disruption is a good step in the right direction. The new airport licence conditions should strengthen the approach taken to build operational resilience. The new regime must be workable and we welcome the dialogue between the CAA and Ready and waiting? Transport preparations for winter weather 21 the airports. We invite the CAA to set out how it will evaluate the impact of the new licence conditions on passenger welfare, by Spring 2015. We also recommend that the CAA ensure that good practice on the provision of information and passenger welfare is shared across all UK airports.
9While we welcome the progress made by the Highways Agency on proactively communicating with motorists...
Recommended (the committee's words)
While we welcome the progress made by the Highways Agency on proactively communicating with motorists ahead of severe winter weather, there is a need for greater emphasis on the provision of accessible real-time information about road conditions and disruption. Such information is essential to prevent motorists getting stranded in their vehicles. We recommend that the Highways Agency initiate a review to: i) Investigate the barriers to providing comprehensive real-time information to drivers; ii) Identify technological and other solutions to providing real-time information, particularly during periods of disruption; and iii) Develop a strategy for implementing these solutions across the strategic roads network. The Highways Agency should provide us with an update on its progress ahead of winter 2014-15.
10Both the Government and transport providers have taken steps to implement our recommendations and to...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Both the Government and transport providers have taken steps to implement our recommendations and to learn lessons from their experience of previous winters. Embedding a culture of continuous review and improvement is vital to ensure that the robustness of transport networks improves year after year and to demonstrate the willingness of the transport sector to address further issues as and when they arise.
11Continuous improvement must remain a priority for both Government and the transport sector, even if...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Continuous improvement must remain a priority for both Government and the transport sector, even if the weather this winter, and in the next few, is not severe. There is a risk that a few years of mild winter weather could lead to a false sense of security and reduce the sector’s preparedness over the longer term.
12The transport sector must continue to work closely with the Met Office and other forecasters...
Concluded (the committee's words)
The transport sector must continue to work closely with the Met Office and other forecasters to understand the challenges posed by different types of severe weather. Transport is vital to growth and a lack of preparedness has a direct impact on growth and on the economy as a whole. It is vital that the UK is ready and waiting for adverse weather and not taken by surprise.
Evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2
- 11 Nov 2013No witnesses recordedparliament.uk ↗
- 28 Oct 2013No witnesses recordedparliament.uk ↗